LETTER: Be aware of water rules

SAN ANGELO, Texas - James Flores, code compliance manager, city of San Angelo

On June 1, Drought Level 2, the second of the city of San Angelo’s three-stage drought contingency plan, takes effect. That means San Angelo has less than 18 months of available water supply, heightening the need to conserve water. In the spring and summertime, that means curtailing the amount of outside watering.

In practice, here’s the impact of Drought Level 2 on your household:

Watering is restricted to once every seven days with a one-inch limit per application. Watering is prohibited between the hours of noon and 6 p.m., when evaporation rates are highest. There are no exceptions for more frequent watering of new landscapes, regardless of whether you were previously granted a Drought Level 1 exception.

Higher excessive usage fees will be charged for consumption that tops 10,000 gallons, with even higher fees for usage of more than 20,000 and 29,000 gallons. The surcharges will begin with customers’ July billing, which reflects June usage.

As always, at no time should water be allowed to run more than 150 feet down any street, gutter, alley or ditch.

If you witness a violation, please contact the city’s Code Compliance Division by calling 325-277-8906 or 325-657-4409, or by emailing me at james.flores@cosatx.us. For more information about San Angelo’s water situation and ways to conserve, visit our website at cosatx.us/water.

Stretching our precious water supply will require all of our participation. We urge you to do your part to be water smart.